3-part Webinar Series: Understanding and Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Webinar length: 52 min
Publish Date: November 2023
Behaviour is one of the many ways that children communicate with us, so it’s important for us to be able to recognize and strive to understand children’s behaviour in our programs. Participants in this webinar series will be encouraged to think about behaviour differently while gaining deeper understanding and strategies for their programs.
Module 1–Understanding & Guiding Children’s Behaviour: Perspectives
Module 2–Understanding & Guiding Children’s Behaviour: Cultural Considerations
Module 3–Understanding & Guiding Children’s Behaviour: Environmental Considerations
Encouragement vs. Praise
Webinar length: 52 min
Publish Date: November 2023
In this webinar, participants are guided through an exploration of how we use words of encouragement to increase intrinsic motivation vs. praise that reinforces extrinsic motivation.
6 Steps for Conflict Resolution in the Early Years
Webinar length: 51 min
Publish Date: November 2023
This webinar is a guide for educators to use as they support young children in their development of problem solving skills and strategies for resolving conflict. Participants in this session will explore brain science, tips for engaging children, and simple language that can be used in their programs.
What does circle time mean to you? Come and explore all the different possibilities that group time can offer. In this session, we’ll learn how to incorporate science, math, and dramatic play experiences, embrace emergent learning opportunities, transition ideas, and build resources.
Supporting Children During Uncertain Times
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour 57 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
According to Health Canada, we will not go back to what life was like before January 2020 soon. We need to plan a new normal for our work with children and their families. The new normal depends on several unknowns which cause further stress and anxiety. In this session will provide information on creating a positive environment and handling stress in ways that increase resilience among children, their families, and childcare providers. In this session, we will discuss strategies to manage stress in predictable, moderate, and controllable ways.
Loose Parts: The Play Framework You Need to Know!
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour
Publish Date: April 2023
In this session, we will look at the stages of play and the number one mistake most educators make when children are playing. We will look into strategies to provoke thinking and build innovative minds by implementing loose parts. Participants will learn the 5Ws of Loose Parts and how to use them intentionally in an early childhood environment. Participants will learn how to design their environment to create a sense of wonder and learning through play and how to support the loose part’s journey.
Songs, Finger Plays, Music and Movement
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour 47 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
This session involves active participation in singing and sharing very effective songs and finger plays that are designed for intentional purposes in different situations throughout the day with young children. We will talk about how music and movement can be used to support learning and development, and improve the flow of your day! Participants will also learn a variety of songs, finger plays, music & movement activities for all ages!
Shake, Rattle and Roll: Creative Music and Movement Activities
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour , 56 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
Music & movement are more than just singing and dancing. It’s a holistic and playful approach to learning that reaches the deepest parts of our soul. It’s a form of communication. It’s a way to regulate emotions. It connects people, families, and communities–and has an international language unto its own. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this session, we build our music toolkits and talk about different ways to incorporate creative music and movement activities into CNC for a variety of learning contexts… and have some fun with music…even if we can’t sing or dance!
Invitations to Play
Tutorial length: 9.5 minutes
Publish Date: November 2022
An invitation to play can be a simple way to spark children’s curiosity and imagination! They offer children opportunities to explore and direct their own play, follow their interests, learn more about the world around them, express themselves creatively and use their imagination.
In this tutorial, you’ll find 10 tips for creating your own Invitations to Play for the children in your CNC program. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Part 1: Capturing Children’s Learning Through Documentation
Tutorial length: 6.5 minutes
Part 2: Meaningful Documentation
Tutorial length: 7.5 minutes
Publish Date: October 2022
- what makes good documentation
- different kinds of documentation
- how good documentation leads to good programming
Part 1: Capturing Children’s Learning Through Documentation
Part 2: Meaningful Documentation
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
What is Executive Function?
Tutorial length: 8 minutes
Publish Date: June 2022
For many of us, executive function sounds like a really abstract term that might not hold much meaning. But executive function is actually an incredibly practical, useful and important set of skills that children start to develop in the early years.
In this tutorial, we’ll help you to understand what executive function is, and why it’s important. We’ll also share some resources and ideas for how we can support the development of executive function for the children in our programs.
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Creativity and the Educator
Tutorial length: 6.5 minutes
Publish Date: May 2022
When you think about the word “creativity” what comes to mind for you? For many of us, we automatically think about a painting, drama or storytelling, or maybe a song and dance. But creative expression isn’t about the product or end result… it’s all about the creative process and journey. Whenever we use and develop our imaginations, originality, and problem-solving skills during everyday life – that’s creativity! In this tutorial, we’ll talk about why creativity is so important in the early years. We’ll also try to get everyone thinking outside the box a little bit, by talking about creativity… and how it isn’t just about art! Then we’ll share some ideas and inspiration for encouraging and fostering creativity in our programs! At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Modelling Flexible Ideas About Gender in an Early Childhood Setting–Parts 1 and 2
Webinar length:
Part 1–57 minutes
Part 2–52 minutes
Publish Date: October 2021
We come from different families. We come from different cultures. We grew up in different decades. We each have our own individual experiences. We probably all see and experience gender in a slightly different way. This two-part webinar series hosted by Kirsten Freed, an early childhood educator at Mosaic in Winnipeg,includes information about gender and child development, and centres around the ideal of creating the best possible environment for nurturing the social and emotional development of children of all genders. Part 1 | Part 2
Activity Planning for Mixed-Age Groups
Tutorial length: 9 minutes
Publish Date: October 2021
Some CNC programs choose to use mixed-age grouping to allow for flexibility or accommodate families when there is limited space and/or staffing. But it also means that staff need to plan with a wider age group in mind… so a child-centred approach can be especially important! In this tutorial, we’ll talk about the benefits, challenges, and important considerations to keep in mind when planning activities for children of different ages. Participants will go back to their programs feeling more confident, with new strategies and promising practice. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
What is the Difference Between Emergent Curriculum and Child-Centred Programming?
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: June 2021
The terms “child-centred programming” and “emergent curriculum” are often used interchangeably.
But have you ever found yourself wondering what emergent curriculum means? Or maybe you wonder how a child-centred program is different from an emergent curriculum? This tutorial provides you with a quick overview of what it really means to have a child-centred program, how it compares to emergent curriculum, why it’s important to plan engaging, child-centred activities, help in understanding our role as a facilitator of children’s learning, and some tips for expanding on children’s interests.At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Developing Engaging, Child-Centred Activities for Your CNC Program
Webinar length: 54 minutes
Publish Date: June 2021
How do you plan activities for your CNC program? We all do our best to make our CNC programs child-centred, but sometimes program planning can be a challenge! In this webinar, Jackie Cunningham talks about why engaging, child-centred curriculum is so important, where to start with emergent program planning, how to use developmental domains to build on curriculum and learning, and inspiring project-based activity ideas.
Colouring Outside the Lines with Bookmates
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: April 2021
In this webinar recording, Bookmates joins us to explore the idea of creativity as an important bridge to learning and development for young children. This session is designed to share practical skills, tips, and resources for how CNC staff can engage children with open-ended process art activities to extend literacy concepts.
Learning As We Go – Literacy Strategies to Support Young Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: March 2021
Bookmates joins us for this important webinar to talk about early literacy resources, tools and strategies that support early learning during challenging times such as we are currently experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an opportunity for participants to hear about; possible long term repercussions of physical distancing on preschool development, evidence based research on increased anxiety/frustration, sedentary behaviours and screen time our early years population may be experiencing, the importance of relationships in a socially distant world, and literacy strategies and children’s books designed to mitigate some of the challenges facing children in 2021 and beyond.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 1 – Walking Together in Reconciliation
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
CMAS is pleased to present an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about Canada’s Indigenous peoples’ history, knowledge and pedagogies while engaging in reconciliation. For this three-part webinar series, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE, will join us to share Indigenous knowledge and stories from their perspectives, teachings and lived experiences.
In part 1 of this three-part series, we discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, including two recommendations that are specifically related to the early learning sector: new Indigenous Education legislation and culturally appropriate Indigenous programs. This webinar and associated article support a deepening of our understanding of what it means to honour the knowledge and skills Indigenous children and families.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 2 – Awakening and Coming to Know Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning
Webinar length: 63 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
Indigenous knowledge is a knowledge system that is different from Eurocentric knowledge – it is closely tied to space. In part two of this webinar series and associated article, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE we share teaching and learning processes that are holistic and narrative-based. Stories are a primary medium for conveying Indigenous knowledge, so in this webinar, participants will hear stories about the Indigenous child, family, and community’s traditional roles that support Indigenous children in early learning programs.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 3 –Exploring Indigenous Pedagogies Connected to Experiential Learning in Relations to Mother Earth
Webinar length: 78 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
There are many values, traditions and experiences that Indigenous children gain from being on the land and grounded in experiential learning that is connected to Mother Earth. In this third and final webinar and associated article, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE share the Indigenous relational teachings with connections to being, spirit and land.
Beyond Observation – Bringing Your Skills into Practice
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
In this CNC webinar, Ann Hutchings and Yusra Awad, from the Graybridge Malkam CNC program in Ottawa, join us to talk about why observation is so important, and how you can use your observations to develop child-centred programming that supports early learning and development.
Resolving Conflict at Work with Karen Minty
Webinar length: 62 minutes
Publish Date: December 2020
Do you know how different personality styles behave under stress? How does your team resolve conflict under stressful situations? Karen Minty explains the basic needs of each personality style, and appropriate strategies to deal with difficult behaviour to quickly diffuse situations and prevent further conflict in this Resolving Conflict at Work webinar.
The Importance of Play in Challenging Times
Webinar length: 48 minutes
Publish Date: October 2020
The transition back to CNC after pandemic closures can be stressful for everyone, and for some, it’s hard to imagine how to plan play-based learning and still meet provincial directives. In this webinar, CMAS consultant Jackie Cunningham provides CNC staff with 10 tips for keeping the focus on play during these challenging times, activity ideas to try, and a simple tip sheet you can share with your team!
The Art of Storytelling with James Funnyhat
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this webinar, James Funnyhat, an expert storyteller/musician, shares tips and inspiring ideas for capturing the imagination & keeping children’s attention… even when the shows are online!
How the Environment You Create Affects a Child’s Behaviour
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this webinar, Ann Hutchings discusses how space affects children’s behaviour and shares inspiring ideas for child-centred spaces that encourage creativity, learning & development!
Engaging Children’s Senses Through Play
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this CMAS webinar, Jackie Cunningham discusses the importance of sensory play and how you can incorporate it into different areas of your programming.
Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: February 2020
The evidence is clear: successful attachments with primary caregivers in the early years have a profound impact on children in almost all areas of development! In fact, a child’s growth and development depends on the capacity of their caregivers to understand, perceive and respond to the child needs. So developing relationships and trust with the newcomer children in your care is key to supporting their settlement and early development. In CMAS’ new Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC tutorial, you’ll have an opportunity to consider how relationships impact children’s development and health, what is consistent care and why it is so important, which children might need a little more attention and care, and strategies for improving consistency and relationships for everyone. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. English | French
The Power of Play
Tutorial length: 13 minutes
Publish Date: November 2019
Children learn best when they are playing. In fact, play is so important to children’s development, that the United Nations has included play as one of the basic rights of every child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child! Through play, children get to know the world around them while exploring and testing their own limits. They’re figuring out how to coordinate their body movements, talk with friends, apply rules, and so much more. In the Power of Play tutorial, you’ll have an opportunity to consider why is play so important, how play supports children’s development and learning, three common myths about play, and strategies that can be used to support children’s learning through play in CNC each day. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. English version | French version
How Your Early Learning Environment Impacts Behaviour
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: November 2018
When Children’s Behaviour is Challenging
Tutorial length: 22 minutes
Publish Date: September 2017
Sometimes a child’s behaviour challenges us and forces us to step outside our usual comfort zone. Find out what to do when children’s behaviour is challenging you, common mistakes to avoid, and 7 steps to take when behaviour is challenging in your program. We’ve also developed a Facilitator guide that includes 10 Questions for Group Discussion and Personal Reflection to use with your team, extend your learning and help you identify concrete strategies that you can use in your program. Let’s get started!
How to select toys for short term or mobile and programs
Tutorial length: 14 minutes
Publish Date: November 2016
You may not know the number of children, their ages and needs until they arrive. And staff may have to bring toys to different locations, so they need to be easy to transport and store! How can you plan for so many variables? This quick-tip tutorial will help you plan for uncertainties and select the toys you need for a mobile or short term program. In it, you’ll find 7 key factors to consider, a printable list of toy suggestions, and ideas for developing your own mobile kits.